Car-coupling



(No Model.)

E. P. STEPHENS.

OAR GOUPLING.

No. 417,522. Patented Dec. 17, 1889.

N, PETERS, mmmuuwgmphbr. wmhingwn, n4 t;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD F. STEPHENS, OF ASTIN, NEVADA.

CARfCO-UPLING.

SPECIFCATION forming Ipart of Letters Patent No. 417,522, dated December 1'7, 1889.

A Application filed September 26, 1889l Serial No. 325,138. (No model.)

To all whom t 1oz/ty concern:

Beit known that l, EDWARD F. STEPHENS, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Austin, in the county of Lander and State of Nevada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Car- Couplings; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description.

of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in""automatic car-couplings of that class -generally termed twin jaw, in which two identical jaws are used, so that when brought together they will interlock to lconnect the cars; and my invention consists in a car-coupling proyided with pivoted twin jaws which move horizontally or laterally upon their pivots, the jaws each being pivoted to a sliding block which moves within the draw-head or bumper, and are actuated in one direction by springs, as will be hereinafter described.

My invention further consists in providing each of the coupling-jaws with an arm, one end of which slides in recesses formed in the jaw, while the other end is connected to a lever, the operation of which in one direction will uncouple the cars, its movementin the opposite direction being controlled by an interposed spring, as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Inthe accompanying drawings, Figure l is a bottom plan view; Fig. 2, an end view. Fig. 3 is a sectional View on the line a: of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is aperspective view of one of the jaws and sliding block detached.

A refers to a casting or bumper, which is attached in any suitable manner to the car body or frame; and it consists of a horizontal top wall or plate a, from which depend vertical walls h, having formed thereon lugs c c, which are perforated for securing the bottom plate d and other parts rigidly to the car-body. To the forward ends of the side walls are formed inwardly-projecting flanges b b', which limit the forward movement of the sliding block located within the bumper. The rearportion of the casting A is contracted and extended rearwardly, and from the same depend anges ff, which act as guides for a draw-bar D, the forward end of which is rigidly attached to a sliding block B, carrying the pivot-ed jaw. The bottom plate d of the casting serves to hold in place the sliding block B, which has on each side lateral projections h h, which slide against the walls b b, their front faces abutting against the anges `b to limit the forward movement of the block, while excessive rear movement is prevented by the rear faces of the lugs contacting with the Iianges ff. The block B has a rearward extension to which is bolted the draw-bar D, and this .extension is provided with an opening or slot in which a lever may be pivoted, which lever forms a part of an automatic brake, for which an application for patent has been filed on even date herewith.

On the forward end of the block B are formed ears 7c 7c, and behind the same is formed a deep-seated recess Z, within which lies the rear end of the coupling-jaw, as well as a spring m, one end of which bears against the side of the recess while the other bears against a projection formed on the rear rend of the jaw. The coupling-jaw E is made of a single piece, and is pivoted to the sliding block B, between the lugs la k, the construction of the jaw being shown fully in Fig. 4, and it will be observed that shoulders are formed upon the jaw, which lie snugly against the front and side faces of the lugs. One side of the jaw is perfectly straigl1t,while the opposite side' is at an angle therewith and is provided with a notch E', which permits the jaws to interlock. In the straight side and in the bottom of the coupling-jaw are formed longitudinal grooveso o', with which engage a casting O, having at its lower part a horizontal projection p, from which an upwardlyprojecting pin p extends, which enters the groove o, while the upper horizontal portion p2 enters the groove o in the side of the coupling-jaw. A vertical pin passes through the members p and p2 of the cast-ing and has placed thereon an anti-friction roller which contacts with the straight side of the coupling-jaw. By thisvconstruction the couplingjaw is not only allowed a longitudinal slid- IOO ing movement, but also a pivotal movement in the casting O. To the vertical portion of the casting O is secured a horizontal pin o2, which passes through a suitable support attached to the car, between which and the casting a spiral spring may be interposed, which will also tend to throw the jaws together and hold them inter-locked. To the end of the pin is attached a chain, as shown, which is also secured to the short end of an uncoupling-lever J, pivoted tothe car, and the upper portion of this lever passes through a guide havin g ratchet-teeth with which a rigid pawl on the lever engages to hold the coupling-jaws out of engagement when desired. It will be noted that the pin and cast.- ing O not only serve to uncouple the jaws, but also assist in sustaining the jaws in a horizontal position. It will also be noted that the coupling-jaws are of such a length that they will enter the adjacent castings A A, and thus also assist in supporting the coupling-jaws when the cars are coupled.

The device described is entirely automatic in action, and though it is especially designed to be used in connection with my automatic brake it is evident that it can be employed independently thereof, or with other styles of automatic brakes.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isl l. In an automatic car-coupling, the combination, with the castings or bumpers A A, of blocks B, adapted to slide therein, said blocks being provided with lateral extensions which abut against stops formed on the bumpers, draw 7-bars connected to the sliding blocks, and twin spring-actuated and notched coupling-jaws pivoted to the forward end of the sliding blocks, substantially as shown, and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, in a car-coupling, oi a bumper or casting supporting a sliding block to which the draw-bar and pivoted couplingjaw is attached, said coupling-jaw having longitudinal grooves with which a casting connected to the uncoupling mechanism, as shown, engages, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination,in an automatic careoupling, of a bumper inelosing a sliding block, said block having a recess within which is located a spring, a notched coupling-jaw pivoted near its rear end to the sliding block and provided with a rearwardly#extended portion or lug with which the spring engages, and an uncoupling mechanism, as shown, upon which the coupling-jaw slides, substantially as set forth.

4. In a car-coupling, the combination of a bumper or casting A, having stops b and lianges j" Formed thereon, a retaining-plate d, attached to said casting, a block I3, adapted to slide longitudinally within the bumper, said block having lateral projections which engage with the stops and ends of the Ilan ges, a rearward extension to which the draw-bar is attached, and a recessed front portion containing a spring in front of which the coupling-jaw is pivoted, said coupling havinga notch E and grooves o 0, with which a pin and one end of a casting carried by the uncoupling mechanism engage, substantially as shown, and for the purpose set forth.

5. The combination, in an automatic carcoupler constructed'substantially as shown and provided with coupling-jaws having longitudinal grooves, of a casting having a horizontal portion which enters one of the grooves, and a pin extending trom the lower portion of the casting to enter the other groove, an antiiriction roller which abuts against the straight. side of the coupling-jaw, a horizontal pin attached to the casting, a support, and means, as shown, for operating the same, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I al'iiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD F. STEPHENS. lVitnesses:

E. W. JOHNSON, HORACE L. BEALL. 

